Protective Services Officers will begin patrolling more stations, trains and surrounding areas across Victoria from 19 April, as the state government rolls out an intelligence-led deployment model backed by additional funding and staffing.
The changes, led by Victoria Police and supported by the Victorian Government, will see PSOs deployed based on police data, with earlier start times and broader patrol areas across the public transport network.
Under the updated model, PSOs will be stationed at key locations from as early as 9am, extending beyond the previous evening start time. Officers will patrol trains and areas around stations, rather than remaining on platforms, and will move across the network during shifts to increase visibility.
From 19 April, PSOs will patrol 32 metropolitan stations from 9am until the last service. A further 73 metro stations and four regional stations will be covered from 5pm, alongside mobile patrols across 119 metro stations during evening hours.
The state government has allocated $44 million in the latest budget to recruit 50 additional PSOs to support the expanded model. According to officials, the approach reflects shifts in crime patterns since PSOs were first introduced more than a decade ago.
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said the changes were guided by operational advice.
“PSOs will be located where they’re needed, when they’re needed, based on real police intelligence.”
He said the revised model would maintain coverage while improving flexibility.
“No station is losing PSOs – what’s changing is how they work, with constant mobile patrols to cover more places, more often.”
Carbines added that the government had endorsed the model developed by police and increased resources to support it.
“Police designed this intelligence-led model to help them detect and deter more crime – we backed them and now we’re giving them 50 extra PSOs to boost their resources further.”
The opposition has criticised the changes, arguing they reduce a consistent presence at stations.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said the plan would remove permanent PSO coverage from stations across Melbourne.
“With criminal offending at an all-time high and perceptions of safety deteriorating, stripping PSOs from 119 train stations will only a make a bad situation worse”
“Under Labor, police are down, crime is up and PSOs are being stripped from the majority of Melbourne’s train stations.
“Under a Liberal and Nationals Government I lead, commuters can have confidence there will be a local PSO team on every train station, every night.”
Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections Brad Battin said the changes risked worsening safety concerns.
“With criminal offending at an all-time high and perceptions of safety deteriorating, stripping PSOs from 119 train stations will only a make a bad situation worse.”
Shadow Minister for Public Transport Matthew Guy said commuters would face uncertainty under the revised model.
“Labor’s reckless decision to strip PSOs from the majority of metropolitan train stations leaves commuters facing a lottery with their safety.
“Every commuter deserves the reassurance and safety PSOs provide and that’s why our team will hire 200 more PSOs and ensure they are on every metropolitan train station from 6pm until the last service.”
The PSO program was introduced under a previous Coalition government and has been a visible part of Victoria’s public transport safety approach. The latest changes shift the focus from fixed station presence to mobile, intelligence-based patrols, with both major parties signalling further expansion of PSO numbers.
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